Super Bowl mania is alive and well in Afghanistan, where members of the 101st AD's 4th BCT are gearing up to watch the big game live, via American Forces Radio and Television Service. Army Sgt. Kali Tackitt, left, and Army Staff Sgt. Todd Christopherson display their conflicting loyalties, Feb. 4. (Army photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Graham)

KABUL - Excitement is mounting at FOB Sharana as many "Currahee Brigade" soldiers lay plans to watch the big game live. "The brigade will postpone all but the most critical of its regular nighttime meetings, so troops can hit their racks early to get up to watch the game," reported Army Maj. Ali Johnson, the brigade PAO.

For troops in Afghanistan, the kickoff will be at 5 a.m. local time, Feb. 7. Assembling around TVs being set up in morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) tents and conference rooms around the base, they'll join their comrades in arms in 175 countries, and aboard Navy ships at sea, in an annual tradition that's as all-American as Thanksgiving and apple pie. American Forces Radio and Television Service has delivered the Super Bowl live since the game's inception in January 1967.

Service members at JBB in Iraq, where it will be 2:30 a.m. at kickoff, are gearing up for the festivities, too, reported Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Lensch, a member of the Army Reserve's 103rd ESC's personal security team. Posters around the base are heralding the big event, and big flat-screen TVs will take center stage during myriad Super Bowl parties being planned.

"I think there are going to be a lot of people up all night watching the Super Bowl," Lensch said. "A lot of people are going to be walking around like zombies the next day," he added with a chuckle.

"The Defense Logistics Agency has worked to make deployed troops' Super Bowl experience as down-home as possible, complete with all the chicken wings, pizza and chili they can handle," reported Nick Sistrun from DLA's Troop Support activity. "In addition, DLA shipped almost 1,900 cases of mozzarella sticks, 1,300 cases of jalepeno poppers, 1,200 cases of meatballs and more than 1,500 cases of potato wedges to Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley Huber, a food service tech for the 103rd ESC in Iraq, plans to serve up a big selection of pizza and finger foods during the game. And, in a special exception to policy -- one that Army Lt. Col. Gerard "Gerry" Schwarz, the unit's deputy support ops officer, emphasized is closely controlled -- the troops will get 2 beers each to drink during the game. "There's only one time in the course of the year in Iraq that we're allowed to have 2 beers: Super Bowl Sunday," Schwarz said.

"Due to the early morning kickoff time in Afghanistan, TF Currahee plans to provide a lumberjack breakfast rather than traditional Super Bowl fare," Johnson said. Instead of beer, the soldiers will wash down their chow with coffee and juice.

Army Sgt. Kali Tackitt, a supply sgt., comes from a family of die-hard Green Bay Packers fans. In fact, Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr, who earned most valuable player honors in the first 2 Super Bowls -- wrote her uncle a letter, back when he was 9 years old, and it's been passed down through her family as a prized heirloom.

Like many of her fellow Packers fans, Tackitt said she's suffered along with her team as it endured injuries and "unfortunate losses" over the season. "But, we made it through, and it showed all the haters what we're all about," she said. "I will be a Packers fan in good times and bad times, and trust and believe I will be wearing my cheesehead hat, and my Aaron Rodgers or Greg Jennings jersey on the night of the 6th. I'm super excited for my team to be in the Super Bowl, and I can't wait until they earn their ring!"

Army Staff Sgt. Todd Christopherson, the brigade's PA NCO-in-charge, feels as passionately about the Pittsburgh Steelers. "The Pittsburgh Steelers have been my team since I can remember watching the black-and-gold with my father, who's also a diehard fan, in the lean years back before the '70s," he said. "They played with heart and fire, even when they were a losing team."

Christopherson remembered watching his very first live football game at Pittsburgh's old Three Rivers Stadium. He thrilled to the roar of the spectators, whom he called "those nuts -- my kind of people," many of them wearing no shirts despite the bitter cold. "It was a sight to see and hear," he recalled with pride.

"The experience Christopherson expects, and that he and his fellow soldiers will enjoy this weekend, transcends football," he said. "It wasn't just about the game or the fans," he said. "It was about good old-fashioned American pride. You may win, but by God, you'll know you were in a game, and damn sure worked for it."

LACKLAND AF BASE, Texas - "Whatever is mine is his," Marine Corps Pfc. Colton Rusk wrote about Eli, his military working dog, in the final days of their deployment in Afghanistan. Feb. 3, Rusk's family helped to prove his words true, when they adopted the black Labrador retriever in a retirement and adoption ceremony, at the military working dog school here.

After Rusk, 20, was killed Dec. 5, in Helmand province by Taliban sniper fire, Marine Corps officials told Darrell and Kathy Rusk, his parents, that Eli, the young Marine's infantry explosives detector dog, crawled on top of their son to protect him, after he was shot.

The Rusks drove here along with their sons - Cody, 22, and Brady, 12 - as well as Rusk's aunt, Yvonne, and his grandparents. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jessy Eslick of the Defense Dept's military working dog research and development section, handed the leash to the family, praising Eli as "a dog that brought Marines home to their families."

Eli immediately began licking Kathy Rusk's palms, and fell into the arms of his former handler's father. "In his last letter we got the day before we buried him, at the very top was a little smudge that said 'Eli's kisses,'" said the fallen Marine's mother, who wore a 2-sided pendant with a photo of her son on one side, and another snapshot of him with Eli on the other. "Colton thought whatever was his was Eli's. "We're Colton's family, so it's just right that we're Eli's family now."

Eli, who was trained in the military working dog program here, reportedly is the 2nd working dog the Marines discharged, to permit adoption by a fallen handler's family. Cpl. Dustin Lee's family adopted his German shepherd, Lex, after the Marine died from wounds he received in a mortar attack in Iraq's Anbar prov., March 21, 2007. The corporal's family worked for 9 months with an online petition and congressional help, to secure the adoption.

Kathy Rusk said her family didn't have as many obstacles in their quest to adopt Eli. Texas Gov. Rick Perry started the process of working with the Marines on the dog's discharge, and Scooter Kelo, who trained Eli, and also taught Rusk on working with the dog, also helped to make the adoption possible.

"It gets our mind off the sadness of losing Colton," she said, "just knowing we're going to have a little piece of Colton in Eli. I just wished he could talk and tell us some stories. Just to know we're going to be able to share the love we have for our son, with something that he loved dearly."

Rusk joined the Marines after he graduated from Orange Grove High School, and committed himself to the Marines the same week that his best friend, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin Rokohl, lost both legs, in southern Afghanistan. Rusk deployed to Afghanistan on his 20th birthday, with Eli, as part of the 3rd Bn, 5th Regt, from Camp Pendleton, Calif.

"He wanted to be a Marine since he was 10 years old," his mother said of her fallen son. "We talked to him about maybe going to college first, but he said he had to fight for his country first."

Rusk often told his parents how dogs like Eli were well-trained here and in S. Carolina, where he was trained as a bomb detector dog handler. "We've had dogs all of our lives," Darrell Rusk said. "Since all of the boys were babies, they had one. Colton was probably the better handler of the bunch. When he went to train in S. Carolina, he said, 'Dad, we don't know how to train dogs. These dogs here will bring you a beer; they'll open the can for you, but sometimes they'll drink it for you, too.' He said that was how well-trained the dogs were, and he was really amazed how much you can do with a dog, once you've worked with them."

The dog Rusk liked to call "My boy, Eli" earned a reputation for wanting to be wherever his handler was. Eli didn't want to sleep on the ground; he slept in Rusk's sleeping bag. They even ate together outside, after Rusk found out that Eli wasn't allowed to eat in the chow hall.

"He told a story of when they were in the chow line one time," the fallen Marine's father said. "One of the Marines kicked at the dog one time, and told him to get the dog out. Colton and the Marine got into a little scuffle. They told Colton he could stay inside and leave the dog outside, but from then on, Colton and Eli ate outside. That's how tight he and the dog were."

The family met Eli once when they visited Rusk at Camp Pendleton the week he deployed. After the retirement and adoption ceremony, the Rusks took Eli to their home on more than 20 acres of land, which he will share with the family, their horses and 3 German shepherds.

Jan Rusk said this was another way to honor her grandson's memory, but it also will help the family as they continue to cope with their loss. "Eli was a part of Colton, and now they have a little part of Colton back," she said.

The family of a fallen Marine greets Eli.

Eli loyally stayed by his handler's side after death, guarding Rusk's body, and even biting at Marine's trying to move their fallen comrade.

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ANA Soldiers Graduate From Medical Course

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Garcia

Petty Officer 2nd Class John Noble, 27, a hospital corpsman at JSAS and the lead instructor for the medical course, congratulates one of his students after a graduation ceremony at the Joint Security Academy Southwest (JSAS), Feb. 3.

CAMP LEATHERNECK – Twenty-seven ANA soldiers completed an 8-week medical course, during a graduation ceremony. “They learned everything from combat patrols, how to provide medical aid, evacuate casualties, and administer IVs and medicines,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Noble, 27. “They also learned how to do their basic assessments, trauma assessments, and how to stop bleeding.”

Noble noted that many of the soldiers were operating as combat medics before the course. He said that it was just a matter of getting them certified in the proper techniques and skills required for them to become combat medics.

“This course taught us how to save our comrades in combat situations, and how to help the wounded,” said ANA Staff Sgt. Mohammed.

“Seeing the progression in the students from week one all the way until now, I would say the training is definitely effective,” said Noble. “I definitely think they've the basic foundation to be combat medics.”

According to Noble, the course is designed for the JSAS instructors to act as mentors for ANA soldiers, so they can teach the skills they learned. He said that a student from his course has been selected to come back as an instructor for a future medical course.

“I wanted to become a medic, because it gives me the skills to be able to help my friends in combat situations,” said Mohammed. “With the training I received, I now have the skills to help them.”

ANA soldiers from the medical course stand alongside their instructors, after a graduation ceremony.

Staff Sgt. Richard Rivadeneira (left) and Sgt. John Strolsnider (right), both Marines with team 1, det 3, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, interact with two Afghans, who came to them with ideas for Marjah, at the Marjah District Center, Jan. 31.

CAMP LEATHERNECK – Marines working at the Civil Military Ops Center (CMOC) in Marjah, have improved Afghan lives during the few short months they've been in Afghanistan.

“When the previous team was here, they were still getting shot at,” said Sgt. John Strolsnider, a civil affairs NCO with Team 1. “There were no roads; it was just a bunch of ups and downs.” Strolsnider said, "now there are paved roads and street lights, so the Afghans are able to keep their shops open later into the evening. You see people smiling,” continues Stolsnider. “Everyone is warm; they come over to us just to say hello.”

The CMOC, run by only 2 Marines, have implemented many projects during their tour to include: mosque and bazaar refurbishments, road and school improvements, bridge installations, new wells, canal clearing, and are also planning to build a soccer field for the community.

“With the new signs and concrete, the local Afghans have taken pride in the ownership of their shops,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Rivadeneira, the staff NCO-in-charge at the CMOC. “That's a great visual improvement.”

The Marines have set up a trash collection project, which will be financed for 3 months by the Marine Corps, but the shop owners have already agreed to pick up payments.“This way, the project is paid for by the Afghan people,” said Stolsnider. “When people visit this bazaar, it will be the cleanest bazaar out of all of them.”

Not only are the Marines working to help the local Afghans, they're also working to get the district gov. an up-armored vehicle, so he can travel to meetings without being escorted by the Marines here.

Rivadeneira said that the Marines open the CMOC to Afghans 4 days a week, and work countless hours working with the other Civil Affairs teams throughout the area, and continue to better the lives of the local Afghans.

“I think that we're giving them their country back,” said Strolsnider. “They're already taking control; they're taking responsibility, and we see that every day.”

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Airman Basic Intelligence Course Graduation

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Walker

Members of the Afghan AF, including the first female graduate Sgt. Rasa, and Afghan civilians who graduated from the Airman Basic Intel Course at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan AF's "Big Air School," in Kabul, Feb. 3.

AFGHANISTAN - Attending the graduation was Brig. Gen. Barat, the Kabul Air Wing cmdr., who shared a few words with the graduates. “The Afghan military is lucky to have the Int'l Forces here helping to train and equip us. That's the best thing for the Afghan Armed Forces and classes such as this, because with each graduating course we become better equipped as a military,” explained Barat.

The class is based on NATO standards, so all material was written and taught to support NATO air ops. Each of the graduates completed 210 hours of classroom instruction, covering more than 50 topics.

“Topics range from critical thinking and analysis, mission planning, classified info protection and security, to the creation and delivery of a professional military intel brief in support of Afghanistan AF flying ops,” said Tech. Sgt. Lee Marsters, AAF Intel adviser, with the NATO Air Training Command-A/438 Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.

Marsters said that the training was conducted, because there was a need to develop a professional intel capability in Afghanistan. “Without these skills, the Afghan AF can't be a part of NATO. This is only the 2nd 4-month course that's been taught. Other intel courses being taught by coalition partners were not capable of addressing Intel Support to air ops,” said Marsters.

The course not only strengthens the AAF but it also focuses on professionalism and teamwork. “This is one of the only courses that combines officer and enlisted members in a combined course, where they have to learn to respect one another, and work as a team to graduate. Our class also serves to reinforce the need for proper chain of command and discipline, from a HQ level down to the sqdn level. Additionally, it gives the AAF the ability to work with other nations on the level that NATO operates,” said Marsters.

Many challenges were faced by the students and their families during the extended training course. “Being away from family for 4 months was a cultural challenge faced by the students. In their culture it's far more difficult for them to leave a female in charge of buying food, providing security at the home, and other goods and needs. It's a testament to their devotion to the course, and dedication to bettering themselves, that they were able to pass a mid-term and a final test with a 70% or better grade,” said Marsters.

“We have students here from Jalabad, Herat, Shindand, Kandahar, Kabul, and Mazar-e-Sharif. Our class leader and his deputy will be working in Kandahar. They graduated with honors, meaning they had a 90% or better grade point average. The civilians will be course directors, out at the AAF Air School during the next class. I'm very excited for the graduates to go into the field and start doing their jobs,” explained Marsters.

Brig. Gen. Barat speaks to members of the Afghan AF.

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TF Gridley and TF Red Dragon at work in Sharana

Photos by Staff Sgt. Anna Rutherford

PAKTIKA PROVINCE - TF Gridley Cmdr. Lt. Col. Kevin Dial interacts with children of the Sharana Orphanage, Jan. 31, 2011. The children received toys, clothes and school supplies, which were donated from schools and churches in the U.S.

TF Gridley Civil Military Officer Capt. Ryan Babcock signs his first contract with local Sharana contractors. The contract establishes a business mgt course to teach locals all aspects of running and managing a successful business.

KANDAHAR PROVINCE - In Maiwand District, Afghan and CF detained a Taliban bomb maker, and several other suspected insurgents. Tips from local residents led SECFORs to the militants' location, where they were detained without incident.

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‘Dragon’ Bn Sees Project Completed in Zaidon

Story by Staff Sgt. Justin Phemister

Workers from the Zaidon milk processing facility pour a fresh batch of raw milk into a filtering tank, Jan. 20, demonstrating the first step in its transition to a packaged, marketable product, during a tour. (Photo by Lt. Col. David Volkman)

BAGHDAD — In September 2009, the 1st “Dragon” Bn, 63rd AR Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, began development on a project in Zaidon, part of the greater Abu Ghraib area west of Bahgdad.

Now, in January 2011, the Dragons have returned to the area, as part of the 2nd AAB, 1st ID, in time to see the completion of that project, which began nearly 1-1/2 years ago.The goal of rebuilding a milk processing plant, that would support area dairy farmers, create jobs, and improve the health of local citizens, by providing fresher milk has been a complete success.

Now fully operational, the Zaidon milk processing facility, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jan. 20. Soldiers and leaders with 1st Bn., were invited and Lt. Col. Michael Henderson, cmdr. of 1st Bn. spoke at the event.

Ahmed Said, general mgr. of the Zaidon facility, had high praise for the “Dragon” Bn efforts during his speech. “I’d especially like to thank the Dragon Bn,” Ahmed said. “Without them, this factory would not exist.”

After the speeches were finished, Amhed Hamed, an engr and dep. dir.-gen. of the Al Bahn Co., which runs the facility, led the guests on a tour of the complex. Inside the facility, pasteurization tanks and other modern equipment were shown off by the facility’s workers, and their functions briefly explained by Hamed. In one room, 2 Al Bahn chemists tested the purity of the last batch of milk produced.

Depending upon the quantity of raw product received from local farmers, the facility can produce up to 44 tons of consumable milk each day. The Zaidon milk processing facility will employ about 65 people. In addition, it will allow local farmers to save on gas and vehicle maintenance, by reducing their delivery distance.

"Soldiers with the Dragon Bn can feel a well deserved sense of pride, and so can the hundreds of people ultimately involved in the project," Henderson said. “The facility is a great accomplishment,” Henderson said. “The cooperation between all groups—local govt, religious leaders, Al Bahn businessmen, IP and IA, even the continuity on the project between units within the U.S. forces—is commendable.”

Upon completion of the tour, the attendees shared a meal. Across the lawn of the facility, diverse groups of Americans and Iraqis, sheiks and suited executives, men and women, all shared in a celebration of food and conversation, that spoke as much toward the progress of this country, as to the success of the Zaidon project itself.

Ahmed Hamed (center), directs attention to part of the milk processing facility’s production line. Jan. 20 during a tour of the facility in Zaidon, Iraq. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Justin Phemister)

An Al Bahn Co. chemist takes a sample of a batch of milk.

People gather Jan. 20 to celebrate the opening of the Zaidon milk processing facility, by sharing a traditional Iraqi feast.

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Soldiers Prepare Helicopters for Return to US

Story by Spc. Roland Hale

Spc. Zachary Provenzano, helicopter repairer, sprays down a Chinook helicopter, in preparation for its return from Iraq to the U.S. this month. His unit, D Co, 2nd GSAB, 1st Aviation Regt, eCAB, 1st ID, is scheduled to redeploy to Fort Riley, Kan., this spring. Provenzano and other Chinook helicopter repairers are charged with breaking down the aircraft, so that they can be inspected by customs officials, and flown to the states.

CAMP TAJI – Feb. 4 - Some of the brigade’s helicopters will fly to ports in Kuwait, to be shipped by sea, while others will be loaded onto large AF aircraft for what is called “strategic air movements” to the U.S.

Warrant Officer 1 Jahmal Anderson is in charge of overseeing the brigade cmdr’s redeployment plan. With aircraft operating out of about a dozen locations across Iraq, he's faced with a daunting task. “It’s not just the aircraft, but the equipment that goes with them,” said Anderson. “We’re making sure everything gets in and gets out.”

Spc. Dante Soto is one of the brigade’s helicopter repairers, responsible for preparing the aircraft to be shipped to the reset facility. “We’ve got 2 crews running on 24-hour ops to get the birds broken down and ready to go,” said Soto.

Assigned to the brigade’s D Co, 2nd GSAB, Soto and other repairers have already prepared several Chinook helicopters for redeployment. "While tearing down and preparing the 10-ton, 98' Chinooks is no small task, the battalion’s crews can prepare an aircraft in about a day," said Soto.

"The atmosphere is energetic for the crews working on the aircraft," said Soto. For them, it's one less aircraft to maintain, and another day closer to home. “I’ve done probably over 100 washes out here,” said Soto, taking a break while his crew finished washing a Chinook. “It can get redundant doing it day in, day out, but these are our last washes, so everyone’s pretty stoked to be getting them done.”

Spc. Matthew Gregory, assigned to the same company as Soto, also looks forward to getting home. "In addition to the aircraft, the battalion is packing the tools and equipment they use to repair the aircraft," he said. “We’re packing up containers full of our equipment, and doing the paperwork needed to ship it back,” said Gregory. “It feels good,” he said. “Good to go home.”